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Family ties behind UST’s return to power

Norman Lee Benjamin Riego on Oct 17, 2015 08:32 PM

WE ARE FAMILY. Kuya Kevin and kuya Ed have led the UST family to the top of the leaderboard this deep in the season.

Listen to Kevin Ferrer during interviews and you will never hear the word “team.”

Listen to Ed Daquioag during interviews and you will never hear the word “teammates.”

In their place, University of Sto. Tomas leaders’ say “family” and “brothers.”

It has been common practice for any successful squad to feel like a family, but the 8-1 Growling Tigers have seemingly taken it a step further by expressing it publicly. And the reason for it all? To make a statement both to themselves and the rest of the league that their lost season a year ago has only made them stronger.

According to Daquioag, it was Ferrer who started it all. “Nung team-building, sinimulan ni Kevin at sinabi niyang, 'Coach (Bong Dela Cruz), parang mas maganda kung family tayo,'” he narrated to ABS-CBN Sports.

In a separate interview, Ferrer confirmed his “brother’s” story and then went on to explain why he thought of it all. “Family talaga kasi yung isang family, magtutulungan,” he said.

The UST captain said they all recognized they needed to come together right from preseason as opposed to a year ago when they took their time in bonding with each other. “Last year kasi, nagsama-sama lang kami lahat after na ng (PBA) D-League,” he said.

Results have been promising so far with the Tigers one of only two squads who have distanced themselves from the pack. “Kapag buo talaga yung family mo, mahirap kang talunin,” Daquioag exclaimed.

Still, a very important question lingers around the UST “family”: who’s the kuya? Daquioag was only willing to oblige us in answering, “Kuya namin si Karim.”